Comparison impressions: Comparing functional tights for sports! ~From a trail runner's perspective

I first bought functional tights about 10 years ago. I was feeling uncomfortable with my knees, so I was wondering if there was anything good about it when a skier friend introduced me to me. At the time, some skiers were using it, and of course there were almost no options, so I bought the CW-X as recommended. At the time, he hadn't yet achieved citizenship, and would he be a pervert if he was wearing tights? I remember always putting on pants and running while hiding them because I could see them with that kind of eye. A few years later, in my memory, it became widely known when mountain girls began to appear, and now they can be used with confidence.

Nowadays, many athletes are wearing it and used in everyday life, and there are many different types of functional tights available from various manufacturers that can be difficult to choose.

This time, we chose three different models with different characteristics, from the perspective of whether these functional tights are suitable for trail running, and compared them in practice.

About sports tights compared this time

Although functional tights are known as various types depending on the purpose and function. This time, we chose three different types of tights, with the view that trail runners will use them from practice to race.

• ASICS MMS LONG TIGHT2.5
• Wacoal CW-X Generator Model (Revolution Type)
• C3fit Inspirational Long Tights

MMS LONG TIGHT2.5 is a running tight for runners, which has been the familiar Asics has evolved the support they need to run. CW-X a well-known functional tights manufacturer the generator model, the top model for functional tights . In addition to the knees, lower back and hip joints, it also supports the muscles of the buttocks and thighs, which are important for supporting the body, protecting the body from the movements that are common during sports. And the last C3fit inspirational long tights are one of the few long tights that are designed to be staged compression that promotes blood circulation as the general medical device "elastic stockings." The blood circulation promotes the effect of reducing swelling and maintains comfort even when worn for long periods of time. At the same time, you can reduce excess muscle vibrations during exercise, increasing exercise efficiency.

Test environment

The following five points were set as indicators for review of the evaluation items.

• Support: How much support does tights provide in running movements in the field? We focused on how wearing it will change your running style.
• Comfort: No matter how well it works, if it doesn't feel good, it's not worth it. We evaluate the comfort of the shoes, whether there is any discomfort or discomfort while running, and the stress of wearing them for long periods of time.
• Mobility: It would be counterproductive if wearing tights limits movement. Here we check the ease of movement, such as whether there are any negative factors that will affect each movement during running.
• Fatigue: We compared the feeling of fatigue during and after exercise. There is a strong subjective element here, but there is nothing you can do about it.
• Durability: Especially when riding, there is a higher risk of tearing with twigs and twigs than usual, and the durability of the fabric is a concern. Although we cannot do rigorous tests, we compare impressions of using them in a somewhat unreasonable way.

With the above five points in mind, each model ran on roads and on trails with relatively high ups and downs for several days. In addition, I also tried wearing it for a long time during the day to measure comfort after wearing it for a long time.

Test results and spec comparison table

Impressions of each model

Wacoal CW-X Generator Model (Revolution Type)

Currently, there are four models of CW-X's high-performance tights: Generator, Stabilis, Expert, Style Free. The generator model used this time is the top model in the CW-X series, which supports the waist, butt, hip joints, thighs, knees, calves and the lower body in general.

The fabric looks sturdy and difficult to wear at first glance, but in reality it is stretchy and easy to wear, making it the easiest to wear out of the three models. Despite this, the tapered part has little elasticity, and it provides solid support, so it has a very well-defined look and gives a good impression. I could really feel the support of my entire lower body from my waist to my lower body.

When you actually drive, that "sense of support" becomes even more certain. It doesn't have any effect such as the feet moving forward automatically, but I really felt this model was that it really supports each movement, and gives you a sense of stability, and gives you a literal sense of support.

Especially when descent from a trail run, unstable landings and body twists suddenly occur, which are unlikely to occur in normal running. Even with such unexpected movements, I was able to run with less anxiety. Anyway, the stability in my lower body was amazing.

However, its support is so strong that everyone can feel it. For high-level runners who run in and get fitted by running, this may actually feel cramped, and for those people, it may be perfect for LSD on regular roads, which tends to be inertial rather than the actual performance.

C3fit Inspirational Long Tights

This model uses elastic stockings that have been certified as medical device. This time, the ASICS MMS LONG TIGHT2.5 and CW-X generator models are not the same as those that are being compared, and are significantly different from other models, which are aimed at "improving exercise efficiency" by promoting blood circulation and suppressing muscle shake.

added just to be safe, not that C3fit only deals with such tights, but that they have multiple lineups tailored to their needs, such as the Element Air Long Tights and the Impact Air Long Tights

When you actually wear it, it feels really soft compared to the other two. And it's light. The mild stage compression is very comfortable, making me feel like it would be easier to wear than bare feet. Of course, there was no stress even after wearing it for a long time.

When I first thought of running, I don't really get the impression that it improves performance clearly, and it may be difficult to experience the sense of support when running when running with a low load, like running on the road. However, when I was running on trails with a lot of ups and downs, I was in better condition than usual and my legs were not as good as I could. Rather than the individual movements being promoted by the taping effect, is it somehow better today? I was able to run with the feeling of ease, which made me feel like I was.

This time we also compared high-load training, such as a test on a slope dash, but if we stayed on the train for a long time after training, it seemed like fatigue substances would be easily excreted thanks to the promotion of blood circulation, and the fatigue content was most likely to be reduced. Of course, this is a comparison after knowing the characteristics of the product, so although we cannot ignore the doubts of whether it was due to preconceived notions, we can feel that the fatigue reduction is not found in other models.

It's difficult to experience direct support like the taping effect, but these tights give the impression that they bring out slightly better overall condition by wearing them.

ASICS MMS LONG TIGHT2.5

Of the three items, this is the only model for running.

First of all, it's very difficult to wear. Not only this review, but I have worn several types of tights before, but I feel like it's by far the most difficult to wear. I was able to wear it down to the bottom of my knees, but it took me a while to put on the support part from my knees to thighs to butt in the appropriate position.

Of course, the fabric other than the support part is stretchy, but it doesn't even stretch that much compared to the other two models. My thighs and butt are thick and large, which may be the cause of difficulty wearing them, but if you are purchasing, I recommend checking the size carefully and trying on more strongly.

However, compared to the CW-X, which is a comparison of support tights, there is not much sense of support right after wearing them. However, as I was running, I naturally maintained my posture and form even in the second half, and as I ran calmly, I was able to run very easily. We can't expect any support that allows you to experience every inch of movement, but I think these support tights will help you maintain the true running ability of a runner on road for a long time. However, when it comes to flexible movements like trail runs, it may be more confusing to the crampedness of the game, so it may not be recommended.

Detailed reviews of each item

Supportability

CW-X ★★★★★
C3fit ★★★☆☆
ASICS ★★★★☆

The CW-X is the one that you can mostly feel the support. The taping effect gives you a great sense of support from the moment you put them on. It provides solid support not only for running, but also for a variety of movements. It may be perfect for trail running, where you can move a variety of movements, rather than running movements, like trail running.

Asics also has a taping effect, but I felt that it was designed to be felt when running for a certain amount of time. It may be that they will be able to run without losing their posture in the second half.

On the other hand, C3fit mainly promotes blood circulation through compression, so there is no taping effect, while at the same time it gives you a sense of support in the sense that it makes your body better than usual.

Comfort

CW-X ★★★★☆
C3fit ★★★★
ASICS ★★★☆☆

Comfort was determined by how comfortable it feels when worn, how comfortable it would be when worn, and how comfortable it would be when worn for a long time.

As expected, the C3fit, which does not have taping, is soft to wear and doesn't feel too stressful even when worn for a long time. The moderate compression is very comfortable, and it might be easier to wear than bare feet! It makes me feel that way.

On the other hand, the other two models have a slight sense of pressure due to the effect of taping, and if you wear them for a long time, whether they are moving or not, you will gradually feel stressed. The manufacturer is also wary of models with tape, but it seems best to wear them only when exercising.

Mobility

CW-X ★★★★☆
C3fit ★★★★
ASICS ★★★☆☆

All models did not experience any stress such as impeding movement during basic running movements. However, the taping of the Asics is tight, and it feels a bit snagging when raising the thighs when climbing the hill. As it is advertised for running, it is unlikely to cause intense movements that are not used in running.

The elasticity of the fabric is also lower than the CW-X. In contrast, wearing a C3fit is the best of the three types because it doesn't have taping.

Feeling fatigue

CW-X ★★★★☆
C3fit ★★★★
ASICS ★★★★☆

As for the fatigue I felt during and after driving, although I felt less tired than when I was barefoot, there was a slightly different impression.

First of all, the fatigue I felt while driving was clearly felt on the CW-X and ASICS, which had taping support, which made it seem less tiring in that sense. Taping supports the running movement itself, so it is believed that fatigue from this has been reduced more than usual.

On the other hand, the fatigue-resistant sensation felt with C3fit is not because it is easy to run, but because it is less likely to leave fatigue after running (does it recover quickly?). This may just be an impression because it was not an objective experiment, but at least due to the effect of promoting circulation, I was able to feel a more comfortable feeling after driving, more reliably than when I was running barefoot.

I feel that CW-X and Asics, which have a taping effect, feel easier to operate during exercise, so you don't feel fatigued, but I think C3fit is better in terms of fatigue resistance when you feel it through until after exercise.

Durability

CW-X ★★★★☆
C3fit ★★★☆☆
ASICS ★★★★☆

For this review, I only wore it 4-5 times since it was new, so although I washed it every time, I have not judged its durability after long-term use. So, this time I'll be thinking about the trail running and the tear that's bothering you on the trail or the tear that happens when you fall. The fabric is not too thin or too thick on all models, so I don't think it will tear if it gets caught on twigs or twigs on the trail. However, I felt that C3fit seemed to be the most likely to tear when falling. I feel like it will easily tear if the areas that are stretched, such as the knees, or areas that are not taped are rubbed hard.

summary

This three models are based on the premise: running support, sports support, and blood circulation promotion, so this is the best for everyone! I cannot recommend it. Again, it is important to keep in mind that factors such as support and fatigue cannot be easily quantified, and evaluations must inevitably be relied on subjective senses.

Furthermore, when comparing this time, I think about how to use it differently, and if you are a beginner who is not strong enough, or if you are worried about the performance of your lower body itself (including breakdowns), the CW-X has excellent support for short to medium distance races . If you want to reduce overall fatigue buildup rather than support for movement or performance, or if you use it for long distance races, C3fit . We recommend Asics for those who want to increase distance and run on roads, whether it's training or racing

In winter, the cold causes poor blood circulation and stiff muscles, making it more likely to cause unexpected breakdowns. If you're feeling anxious, you might want to try out high-performance tights. I hope this will be helpful when choosing tights at that time.

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Yokoyama Takashi

Living in Yakushima, he is a boy (heart!) who loves nature from free diving, mountain climbing, cycling, bouldering to trail running in this wonderful environment. Currently, it is trending towards American trail running culture. I'm training every day with the goal of completing the American big race, Western States Endurance Run and Hardrock 100. We will continue to take on various challenges with the motto of "I'll give it a try." I love moles unrivaled.

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